Chennai Second Airport Search Restarts After Parandur Project Dropped

Nearly three decades after proposals for a second airport for Chennai were first initiated, the Tamil Nadu government is searching for a fresh location after the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government cancelled the proposed Parandur project. The decision restarts the entire clearance and planning process while shifting short-term attention to expanding the current airport at Meenambakkam.

What Happened

The state government had planned to develop Chennai’s second airport at Parandur in Kancheepuram district across 5,846 acres, completing the acquisition of 1,802 acres. Following the project’s cancellation, Industries Minister Keerthana stated that the acquired land would be redirected for industrial purposes. The government is now reviewing other potential sites, including locations like Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi, which were among 11 sites evaluated nearly seven to eight years ago.

Both alternative locations present specific technical considerations. The Cheyyur site would require clearance from the Ministry of Defence as it could lie within airspace controlled by the Indian Air Force base in Tambaram. At Gummidipoondi, proximity to Pulicat Lake raises questions regarding bird activity and its effect on flight paths. Other previously shortlisted locations included Pannur, Thiruporur, and Padalam, though no site has been finalized.

Key Highlights

• The state must begin procedural steps from scratch, including requesting pre-feasibility studies and recommendations from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) once a new site is selected.
• The acquired 1,802 acres at Parandur will be converted to industrial use.
• Immediate capacity expansion is planned at Meenambakkam through the development of the T5 Terminal, aiming to raise total handling capacity to 55 million passengers annually once Phase 2 modernization is complete.
• Access to the proposed T5 Terminal will require the construction of an elevated corridor connecting to National Highway 32.
• Chennai’s passenger traffic ranking has slipped from third to fifth position nationally, alongside cargo logistics challenges that lead exporters to truck goods to Bengaluru.

Why This Matters

The cancellation leaves Chennai relying entirely on the Meenambakkam airport, where development work has encountered delays. Phase 2 modernization missed its original 2022 deadline, and aviation experts note that preparing project reports, tenders, and construction for the T5 Terminal and elevated corridor could take at least five years. Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin noted that dropping the Parandur project represents an irreversible setback for the state.

Industry bodies and logistics representatives emphasize that airport infrastructure directly impacts global trade, passenger options, and corporate investment. Dinesh K. Krishnan of The Air Cargo Agents Association of India noted that operational bottlenecks frequently lead freight forwarders to clear customs in Chennai and transport cargo by road to Bengaluru. Furthermore, frequent flyers highlight the absence of direct connections to long-haul destinations like Paris and Tokyo, routes that are currently operating out of Bengaluru.

What to Watch Next

The Tamil Nadu government is expected to conduct site inspections before deciding on a new location for the second airport. Once chosen, the state will formally request the Airports Authority of India to conduct a pre-feasibility assessment, followed by consultant appointments and fresh applications for site clearances.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will happen to the land acquired in Parandur?

Industries Minister Keerthana stated that the 1,802 acres acquired for the Parandur airport project will be utilized for industrial purposes.

How is the existing Chennai airport being expanded?

The government and airport authorities plan to construct the T5 Terminal between the main and secondary runways and build an elevated corridor from National Highway 32, expanding the airport’s capacity to 55 million passengers per year.

What other sites are being considered for Chennai’s second airport?

Locations such as Cheyyur and Gummidipoondi are being looked at, though Cheyyur involves Indian Air Force airspace clearances and Gummidipoondi is situated near Pulicat Lake. No site decision has been finalized.

Source: The Hindu